The IRONMAN Foundation Annual Auction to Open Sunday on eBay

TAMPA, Fla. (April 10, 2013) – The IRONMAN Foundation today announced that bidding will open on Sunday, April 14, 2013 for the 2013 IRONMAN® World Championship auction on eBay®. The auction, which is in its eleventh year, provides athletes the opportunity to bid on one of six coveted slots to the IRONMAN World Championship, taking place on October 12, 2013 in Kailua-Kona Hawai`i.

Each year, more than 80,000 athletes vie for slots to the IRONMAN World Championship at qualifying IRONMAN events worldwide, while only approximately 1,900 make it to the starting line on race day. The auction incorporates six phases with one slot available per week. Each slot begins with a minimum bid of $10,000 with 100 percent of the money from the final winning bids of the first four slots going to support the efforts of The IRONMAN Foundation. This year, special fifth and sixth IRONMAN World Championship slots are being added to the auction in connection with the relationship between The IRONMAN Foundation and two well deserving organizations. Specifically proceeds from the fifth slot will benefit World Bicycle Relief, a nonprofit organization transforming individuals and their communities through the power of bicycles. The final slot will benefit the YMCA of Greater Seattle, with funds benefiting the University Family YMCA’s programs for youth in need.

Each year The IRONMAN Foundation selects groups within various IRONMAN event markets for donations including organizations located in the two World Championship host cities – Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i and Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev. The IRONMAN Foundation also recognizes a multitude of groups on a national and international level. Last year’s beneficiaries included The American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club and The United Way.

To date, more than $2 million has been raised through the annual IRONMAN Foundation auction. Through the success of the auction, The IRONMAN Foundation has donated to organizations like Team Blazeman, Hospice of Kona, C Different, Daniel Robert Sayre Memorial Foundation – with funds benefitting The Hawai`i Fire Department on Hawai`i Island, The Pediatric Cancer Foundation, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawai`i (PATH) and The County of Hawai`i Parks & Recreation Department.

In addition to receiving the opportunity to compete at the 2013 IRONMAN World Championship, IRONMAN Foundation auction winners will receive private athlete registration in Kona and four VIP packages, including race-day passes and invitations to race-week functions.

Funding for the auction does not have to be generated through one source, as fundraising efforts are acceptable; however, funds are due once the auction ends. Funds in excess of the retail cost of the slot may be tax-deductible in the United States. International bidders will need to locally verify tax deductibility (bidders should consult their own tax advisors to determine deductibility and whether any limitations apply). All proceeds go to The IRONMAN Foundation, which in turn makes donations to the beneficiary organizations. The IRONMAN Foundation covers all administrative costs to ensure all monies raised will directly benefit the selected charities.

The first round of bidding will open on Sunday, April 14 and will last until Sunday, April 21, with five more weeks of bidding subsequently following until the sixth and final slot auction closes on Sunday, May 26, 2013. Athletes can bid for the slots available by clicking here.

For more information on the IRONMAN World Championship auction on eBay or The IRONMAN Foundation, please visit www.ironmanfoundation.org. All athlete inquiries should be directed to . For media related inquiries, please contact